Supreme Knight attends Poland State Convention

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and his wife, Dorian, attended the 4th Poland State Convention which took place on May 9-11, 2014 at Gniew Castle in northern Poland. Situated approximately one hour south of the city of Gdańsk – the birthplace of the Solidarity movement – the medieval castle and surrounding town of Gniew hosted over 250 delegates, chaplains, wives, and guests, including two representatives from Lithuania.

The Supreme Knight and Mrs. Anderson met with the State Officers and their wives where they discussed the future of the jurisdiction. Later, they were treated to a presentation of the Polish Winged Hussars, the elite medieval cavalry of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Afterwards, delegates and guests gathered behind a Fourth Degree color corps and marched to the town parish of St. Nicolas where Holy Mass officially opened the State Convention.

Bishop Janusz Stepnowski of Łomża led Mass, which was concelebrated by over 30 council chaplains. After Mass, a votum offering of a Canonization medal from the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C. was presented to the local pastor and parishioners. The medal was placed on the church’s St. John Paul II altar.

Escorted back to the castle by a brass band, Fourth Degree Knights carried a portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe and processed from the parish to the castle chapel. A formal banquet started with the Supreme Knight firing a cannon. After the meal, the State Service Program Awards and Family of the Year Award were presented.

In his remarks to Polish Knights, the Supreme Knight expressed his happiness with the development of the Order in Poland and challenged them to redouble their efforts in membership growth and programming. He explained that the Knights of Columbus have the obligation to be stewards of St. John Paul II’s legacy and encouraged Polish Knights to be followers of their fellow countryman. By promoting the principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights can build in Europe a strong foundation for freedom, democracy, justice and peace.